Extra patrols will be carried out in Newcastle and on transport networks over the bank holiday weekend to ensure communities celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee safely.
Newcastle City Council, NE1, Northumbria Police and Nexus - who runs the Metro - are increasing patrols to make sure people feel safe amid a big weekend of events. Residents across the city are set to commemorate 70 years of the Queen on the throne with street parties, community events and with friends and family.
READ MORE: As we mark the Platinum Jubilee, what was happening on Tyneside 70 years ago?
Lesley Storey, Newcastle City Council's Vibrant City Cabinet Member, said: “This weekend will see the celebration of the Platinum Jubilee, a wide range of events have been planned and across the country people are looking forward to celebrating.
“The safety of our residents is of the utmost importance so by increasing patrols during a busy bank holiday weekend we can continue to engage with our communities, provide support for vulnerable people and help deter anti-social behaviour incidents from happening.
“I am also very aware that at times like this incidents of abuse increase and I want to let our residents know specialist services are also working and are here to support you.
“We hope everyone has a fantastic weekend and we want to reassure residents and businesses that along with our partners we will continue to support and protect our communities."
Police will join Nexus and council staff in carrying out extra patrols on buses and Metro services and in transport hubs over the long weekend.
Council staff, NE1 rangers and police will also be increasing patrols in the city centre and surrounding parks and green spaces.
The teams will be supported by enhanced CCTV coordination to enable quick deployment to areas where potential issues are identified.
Funding to increase patrols was provided by the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner’s office and HER Violence Reduction Unit.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “There’s lots planned across Newcastle over the bank holiday and there are lots of additional policing efforts planned too.
“Of course, it’s a big weekend of celebrations and it’s times like this that increase the pressure felt by our police force. So I’ve made additional funding available to make more police patrols possible and support the needs of the policing operations that are lined up.
“Policing will be ramped up across our parks, on our transport networks and across the city’s vibrant nightlife.
“This is about making sure people feel safe when they’re out enjoying themselves and preventing things like anti-social behaviour in its tracks so that people can get on with having a good, and safe, time.”
Tariq Albassam, Director of Operations at NE1, said: “As the city prepares to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee, we’re delighted additional funding has been secured to ensure everyone has a fantastic weekend.
“Our NE1 Street Rangers are ready to play their part, delivering extra patrols on the city streets. Working in partnership with the police and city council, our team will be highly visible and recognisable, making sure that people can enjoy the celebrations safely
“Newcastle is a safe city thanks to our collective efforts and we hope that the extra patrols this weekend will minimise any anti-social behaviour and ensure a good time is had by all.”
Metro Operations Director, John Alexander, said: “The Jubilee bank holiday weekend will be busy and we will have extra customer support teams and security staff on Metro and at transport interchanges to deter any anti-social behaviour.
“We continue to work closely with the police and our local authority partners to ensure our public transport networks are safe and secure over the long weekend as people get out and about to enjoy the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.”
Anyone with information about criminality in your area is asked to report it via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page on Northumbria Police’s website or by calling 101. In an emergency, or if a crime is happening, always ring 999.
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